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After only a month or so as a member of the Sky, Elena Delle Donne has already consumed a deep dish-sized slice of local culture.
So far the 23-year old, drafted No. 2 overall in April, has sat in the front row of a Bulls game at the United Center, thrown out the first pitch at Wrigley Field, strolled down Michigan Avenue and polished off a large meal at Gibson's steakhouse. Not bad for Delle Donne's first move away from her tiny home state of Delaware.
"I love it here. It's actually been an easy adjustment so far coming to Chicago," she said. "That's actually been a bit of a shock since it's the first time I've left Delaware, but it's been great."
It's less surprising to the star rookie's teammates and coaches, who believe Delle Donne's transition from college to pro basketball might be as smooth as her cross-country move. In her first WNBA game, she notched 22 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and two assists in the Sky's 102-80 win over Phoenix.
"She's what we've been missing for the last five years, the total package, because she's got size and can shoot," teammate Sylvia Fowles said. "She's a rookie, but she's not acting like one. It's almost like she's already been thrown into the fire. I hope we don't overwhelm her too soon, but it seems like she can handle a lot."
Delle Donne said she's ready for anything, and that's good because the Sky are counting on her to help the franchise break a long streak of playoff futility. In the team's seven-year existence, it has yet to taste the postseason. Many, including last year's squad, believed they might take the leap in 2012. But starters Fowles and standout guard Epiphanny Prince missed a combined 18 games due to injuries, leading to a 14-20 record.
"Yeah, I thought we'd be in the playoffs last year, and we didn't," coach Pokey Chatman said. "But I look at this team and see one more year of experience and the pieces are there."
Those pieces include the now-healthy Fowles and Prince along with veteran Swin Cash and a host of young players like Carolyn Swords and Courtney Vandersloot. But the biggest addition was Delle Donne, who led the nation in scoring as a junior at Delaware despite seeing frequent double- and triple-teams. Now that she has a more talented supporting cast, she'll no longer be suffocated by swarming defenses, Chatman said.
"I noticed during [a preseason] game, she caught the ball in the post and looked around and paused for a second because it was like she expected the double-team to come and it didn't," Chatman said. "Suddenly she looked like a kid at Christmas."
Part of the thrill for Delle Donne is the idea of playing pro basketball in the same city as her favorite team.
"When you're in Delaware, you don't really have a team right there, so you can kind of pick and I was drawn to Michael Jordan and how incredible he was," she said. "So I ended up a huge Bulls fan and watched all the games. Really enjoyed seeing Jordan and Pippen. Now Derrick Rose is my favorite."
Meanwhile, the Sky are equally excited about landing Delle Donne for her considerable skills and marketing appeal. The 6-foot-5 blonde already is on the front of the Sky's website, and the team is selling a Delle Donne Deal season ticket offer that includes a meet-and-greet with her at a private event. She's also got a blog on ESPN and a "MTV Cribs"-style video on the WNBA home page showing off her Chicago apartment.
But Delle Donne said she's comfortable with all of the attention.
"I'm used to it, so it's fine," she said. "Some might see it as more pressure, but I look at it as a positive situation where I can help draw more attention to the Chicago Sky."
Latest RedEye
Ryan Smith is a RedEye special contributor.
Sky vs. Connecticut
7:30 p.m. Friday, Allstate Arena


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Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come spouting predictions, to last all year.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. And year 2013.
Last year, 2012, I predicted accurately the passing of Joe Paterno, Dick Clark, Jonathan Frid. Also predicted Princess Kate being pregnant, finding the God Particle, the new Iphone specs, a magnitude of 7.0 earthquake in Japan, the Crimson Tide winning the BCS, Randy Moss returning to football, the Buckeyes going undefeated, gasoline prices dipping under three dollars, and many more shocking predictions. Below are my 2013 psychic predictions. Enjoy.
1) Miley Cyrus gets married. No more speculation that her engagement was a publicity stunt. Now about her haircut….
2) Lindsay Lohan declares bankruptcy. She hit rock bottom not only in life, but also at the bank.
3) Charlie Sheen goes to jail. Winning!
4) After a long run, Ghost Hunters gets canceled. Main problem, no hard photographic evidence after 10 years.
5) Tom Cruise gets outed on the Ellen show by accident.
6) President Jimmy Carter passes.
7) Denver Broncos win Superbowl. Just wait what Pappa John's Pizza does next. Failed: Manning and the Bronco's get ousted in the divisional playoffs. Side Note: Tim Tebow has won more playoff games in Denver than Manning.
8) The Boston Celtics win the NBA championship after running into a rough patch most of the season. Failed: The Celtics ran out of steam and were eliminated.
9) The Cincinnati Reds return to glory and wins The World Series.
10) The NHL cancels this season. Close to desertification. FAILED: The NHL has settled and are playing a shortened season.
11) Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson break up for good. (See prediction #12 for reason) Success: They are now toast.
12) A Kristen Stewart sex tape surfaces. And it is not with Robert Pattinson.
13) Microsoft corporation flexes its muscles and doubles its market share in the phone and tablet sector. Success: At the end of 2012, Microsoft only had 1.9% share and as of June 1st 2013, has nearly 5% of the market.
14) Courtney Stoddard is pregnant. Does anyone care anymore?
15) Rihanna gets beat up again. Welcome to relationships are us.
16) Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, 40 years old, gets signed by an NFL team.
17) A rogue comet will pass so close to Earth it will appear larger than our own moon. Yes, it is planet killer size. Success: Asteroid 2012 DA14, the size of a city block travelling at over 28000 miles per hour passed in-between Earth and and the moon.
18) Retailer K-Mart files for bankruptcy.
19) The Alabama Crimson tide keeps rolling and beats Notre Dame to capture the BCS championship. SUCCESS: The Crimson Tide dominated the Irish winning 42-14
20) Adrian Peterson wins NFL MVP of the year award. SUCCESS: Peterson did win MVP for the year.
21) The popular streaming service Netflix will be bought and absorbed into a larger company.
22) A breakthrough in solar power doubles the electricity output of each cell. Success: Check the link. New patent extends solar power
23) Scientists discover the first "Earth twin" planet in a star system less than 20 light years from our planet.
24) Humankind will no longer be alone in the universe. Startling evidence that an alien race was once here and is coming back.
(For some odd reason, one of my past years predictions migrated to the 2013 year page. This was not predicted for 2013. 24) Jimmy Hoffa, famed union leader remains will be found.
25) American Idol has jumped the shark and will be canceled after this 2013 season.
26) Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis become very cozy. SUCCESS: Both are seen constantly together and in intimate scenarios.
27) Reality TV finally wises up and cancels Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.
28) Megan Fox gets divorced. Apparently fatherhood cramps hubbys style.
29) Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest get engaged.
30) Brett Favre Makes a comeback as the Cleveland Browns roll the dice on the aged veteran gunslinger. (Just kidding Browns fans)
31) Arnold Schwarzenegger announces a new Terminator movie, Terminator Retribution.
32) To keep pace, Sylvester Stallone announces Rocky 7 and Rambo 5 and Stop Or My Mother Will Shoot 2.
33) Selena Gomez topless pictures get leaked.
34) Milla Jovovich announces yet another Resident Evil movie. It will make millions like the others before it. Success: Resident Evil Six is slated yo open in early 2014. And yes, it will make millions like all the previous movies.
35) Tom Brady hangs up the cleats and retires after his playoff run. Giselle is ecstatic.
36) Kelly Preston files for divorce from John Travolta.
37) David Letterman retires. Perhaps Jimmy Kimmel was kicking his ass.
38) Britney Spears looses it again and goes on another bender.
39) Christina Aguilera loses a ton of weight. Debuts a new album, titled Genie In A Bottle Two. Success: Part one at least, she has lost a ton of weight. Waiting on part two.
40) Yellowstone National Park has a major seismic event.
41) An F-5 Tornado touches down in the heartlands. Success: Sadly, the tornadoes that touched down in Oklahoma City was ranked an F-5 and ravaged the area.
42) The next generation Stealth Bomber makes its debut. Of course it will be during a military excursion.
43) Kathy Griffin and Anderson Coopers New Years Eve 2013 program will be the highest watched New Years Eve program. Where have you gone Dick Clark.
44) Kate Upton's star status begins to fade as competition pushes her aside.
45) Basketballer Kris Humphries throws a wrench in the Kanye Kim K baby nuptials. He lays claim under California law that since he is still technically married to Kim, the baby is his. Success: Kumphries did make it very difficult for the Kardashian clan.
46) Jennifer Aniston finally, finally, gets married.
47) Taylor Swift scandal. Taylor lets it slip. Nippy.
48) NBC's Matt Lauer gets fired.
49) The Star Trek franchise has another hit as Into The Darkness is a major motion picture hit breaking all Star Trek box office records. Success: Into the Darkness is a top box office success.
50) Fifty Years of conspiracy frenzy concerning president Kennedy and the grassy knoll, and finally, hard evidence is revealed that a second shooter was involved as a recently passed secret service agents family member discovers a strong box in the attic with revealing information.
There you have it readers. 50 bold predictions for the new year.
Lets see how good my clairvoyant powers fare for the 2013 year. Check back weekly as each prediction comes into play.
Back To Psychic Predictions Archives


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Fraud rocks Emerald soccer club: matter reported to police
THE Emerald Junior Soccer Association has been left stunned by the alleged theft of a substantial amount of money from the club.
The association reported the matter to the Emerald Criminal Investigation Branch and officer-in-charge Detective Sergeant Mick Polit said though no charges had yet been laid, investigations were continuing.
"I can... confirm that the Emerald Junior Soccer Association has made a complaint to police in relation to the theft of a substantial amount of money and investigations are progressing," Det Sgt Polit said.
The incident has also affected the Emerald Eagles club, an off-shoot of the EJSA.
"The club is dealing with an internal issue that has placed a massive financial burden on the club and, now more than ever, we need the support of our sponsors/members and playing group to work together to ensure a successful 2013 season," a club spokesman said.
Technical director of CQFC Energy and development officer Joe Fenech said he was extremely disappointed to learn of the investigation.
"It appears from internal investigations that a substantial amount of money has been misappropriated and as a result, we have been communicating with the club's insurer through Football Queensland and we referred the matter to police for their investigation," Fenech said.
"The matter, in my opinion, is criminal not civil."
The period of the alleged fraud is to be confirmed, but Fenech said the investigation went back to the last completed financial audit which looked at the past 12 months.
"Of course it's a surprise. Usually matters of financial impropriety occur through ignorance or the lack of training of volunteers but this one has stunned even myself," he said.
"It's always hard to take when trusted people are involved in any matter like this. I should stress volunteers are the backbone of a lot of sporting organisations.
"This shouldn't be a reflection of their contribution in sport in general. This is an isolated case.
"As a club there was a lot of people who assisted the club financially and would feel deprived of all their hard work.
"It is disappointing for them."
Though Fenech said this would bear heavily on the future of the club, he was confident it could recover.
"It's imperative they continue," Fenech said."The club should continue to strive and look forward. This is a situation a lot of people will learn a lot of lessons.
"The club (has) the opportunity to review its current standard of operating procedures.
"It's my job as regional director of coaching to assist wherever I can - I intend to do that."
Fenech was eager to see the EJSA recover, especially for the sake of the junior talent, who he said was the future of the club.
"We're all stunned by the enormity of the situation however we, the Emerald Eagles, all need to get our heads together and do what's best for the kids in the region," he said.
"The Emerald committee is keen to move forward... but they can't dwell on what's happened."
Fenech said he was "extremely confident" of the club's future and with the amount of talent there, he was expecting bigger and better things, especially from the men's teams this season.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the Emerald Eagles compete in the CQ premier league and may that continue," he said.
"They were impressive last year. I am proud of them. In their first year, it's a credit to the players and coaching staff."


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Earlier this week I emailed writer friend, Syr Ruus, and asked her to send me some time. She didn't. Which didn't really come as any big surprise. Yeah, it was just a joke, but I did think later it would be kind of neat if we could put in an order for time just like that. Time seems to be one of those things that are constantly in short supply. Or is it simply because we try to cram too much into our days? Is it even logical to try and fill each moment? Or do we all need a little down time?
We all lead busy lives and hardly does it seem there is time to just sit back and relax. When I get a few moments my nose is either stuck in a book or else I'm tapping away at the keyboard.
I have been limiting my Facebook time lately. While it's fun, and I like keeping connected with my friends (Sorry, Sheila, I didn't know about your trip until it was over 🙂 ) Facebook can be a time stealer. But not to blame Facebook alone, it takes an interested party to partake in Facebook games and constant status updates. I'm not saying that's a bad thing for everyone, but for this writer it can mean the difference between winning at Luxulous or writing a novel. Sorry, I have to say; I'll take the later.
Not to be down on Facebook. I like Facebook. It's a great way to connect with people we wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to, and I do believe this connection with others is part of what gives our lives meaning. Without some human interaction I'm not sure there would even be a point to life.
I wonder if part of the reason we all seem to complain when it comes to time is that we're too hard on ourselves, expecting that we're super-human and can accomplish more than is reasonably expected. When we fail to meet our expectations, we chastise ourselves for coming up short. Some people make lists to keep themselves on track, which is a great idea, unless we add too many items to that list. I've said several times on this blog that I'm not a list-maker, but from time to time I'll write down the things I want to accomplish in a day when there are many things that need my attention. But once I start I find it difficult to stop listing, and instead of setting down realistic goals I've added so stinking many items I'd have to stay up half the night to get it all done. When it comes to list-making I get a failing grade.
There's really no point in blaming time for our shortcomings. Time is a constant. It's been there since, well, the beginning of time. There are 60 minutes in ever hour, 24 hours in every day—no more, no less. You'd think by now we'd get used to that and learn how to utilize our time in more productive way instead of complaining about the lack of time in our lives.
What are the time stealers in your life? Do you struggle to find the time to accomplish your goals? Do you ever worry about wasting time or are you happy with all that you accomplish in a day? Do you make time to just relax?


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|Robert Muckle with Fake Bigfoot Mandible
Archaeologists spend a lot of time in ingeniousness territories, they are digging for artifacts of ancient humans. Do the indigenous people have an unwritten "agreement" with some archaeologists?
Is In an article at Arthroplogy News, Robert Muckle, an archaeology author, starts to make the argument, "Archaeologists have a long history of being largely silent on Bigfoot, leaving it to their colleagues in biological anthropology and cultural anthropology to comment on almost anything related to its purported existence."
Mr. Muckle continues the line of thought by offering, "Archaeologists too can make useful contributions to the science or pseudoscience of Bigfoot and for those so inclined the timing is good to start now."
Archaeology? The study of human activity in the past having a role in Bigfoot research? How exciting! An idea like this coming from a respected archaeologist? It takes only 5 more paragraphs for Mr. Muckle to take back his words and disappoint us.
However there is an interesting gem in the article. It is the quote above, "I have heard of at least one Indigenous group that requires archaeologists working within their territories to report any Bigfoot sightings to the Indigenous group and thereafter maintain confidentiality."
This is very interesting that at least one group of Indians would not only require archaeologist to report sightings, but also keep mum on them too.
And for the record, Bigfoot Lunch Club can make an argument for Bigfoot archaeology. Kathy Strain is a trained archaeologist who has brought the "Bigfoot Family" cave pictographs of Painted Rock.
Below are the pictographs shared by Kathy Strain. The pictographs include paintings of a male, female, and child Bigfoot.
Click the following link to read Robert Muckle's disappointing Archaeology of Bigfoot Article
Click the following link to learn more about the Bigfoot Pictographs


text:
I had some time to myself this morning so I moved some things around. I've wanted to do something different with our room, it's never been completely finished. I think I like the way it turned out, I'll show you more next week.
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11 comments:
Is that Plaza on your black table?!? I´ve pinned the interior on Pinterest, but can´t find the source for it... If it´s still lying around, would you mind letting me know the photographer? (I know, the questions you get blogging :) And your home looks nice, as it did before as well ;)ReplyDelete
Have a wonderful sunday. Lena.
beautiful space. such lovely, thoughtful touches!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 17, 2011
Love all the thoughtful touches. I have been looking for a butterfly lamp like that, mind me asking where it came from?ReplyDelete
That green cushion/pillow is gorgeous!ReplyDelete
What kind of shelves are those, and where did you get them? All of your photos are so beautiful!ReplyDelete
@Jessica ZenorReplyDelete
The shelves are String Pocket and I bought them from Scandinavian Design Center, here
Thank you!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 24, 2011
Beautiful!! Can I ask where did you get the small white reading lamp?ReplyDelete
@anonymous-it's from Ikea.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousNovember 05, 2011
Love your taste. I am so glad you got to come to Portland recently and check out all the fun spots around the Ace. Hey where are those ceramics on your mantel from?ReplyDelete
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text:
I stumbled upon a beautiful video about Michael Wolff, an acknowledged British graphic designer. I am not a part of the design professionals' clan, but his message touched me. I think his way of thinking is applicable to all of us knowledge workers who are trying to cope with the changing work environment.
In this lovely video (see below) Michael Wolff shortly describes the three muscles he needs in his design work. These are very much needed in the knowledge work too:
- The Muscle of Curiosity
- The Muscle of Appreciation
- The Muscle of Imagination
According to Wolff the first muscle, the Muscle of Curiosity, enables him to notice things in an active way and to ask the key question 'why' more often. He sees 'seeing' things as a muscular exercise, a way being open. He claims:
You walk around head full of preoccupations; you're not going to notice anything, in your visual life.
As a busy entrepreneur I find this interesting. During a work day, full of meetings and tasks, this muscle can easily weaken. However I think I've managed to strengthen this muscle via social media, especially via Twitter. The people I follow in Twitter are amazing; they share the most interesting thoughts and articles, and write wonderful blog posts. These active, wise and open-minded persons form my "Serendipity Heaven" in Twitter, and elsewhere in the social media communities, help me to notice things and pick up ideas I'd never found without them. They exercise my muscle of curiosity. Thank you, you know who you are!
The second muscle, the Muscle of Appreciation, is the one that interests me most. I do agree with Michael Wolff, it is the attitude that is crucial: our attitude and the level of interest towards other people – and further to learn from them.
To support innovation and creativity, it is also important to not only notice the obvious (things) around you, but to take it further. Look around, ask, listen, and take all the wonderful opportunities to learn more. You will be able to understand a bit better, and nourish your imagination.
I've always been interested in people – their stories and experiences, their hopes and fears, their values – and can't get enough of that. However in my work life this skill hasn't always been considered as strength. Sadly enough, way too many bosses, even in the personnel departments, still see people as 'resources', like movable parts of a machine. With no interest of their thoughts. Luckily the signs for the change are here.
Out of these three muscles the third one, the Muscle of Imagination, is enabled by the two other muscles: curiosity and appreciation. I think that something else is required here too; read further and I'll explain what I mean.
Now enjoy the video, I find it beautiful both visually and verbally:
What can I learn from Michael Wolff?
Michael Wolff encourages me to compare his profession to mine: what can I, as an entrepreneur and a knowledge worker, learn from this legendary graphics designer and brand guru? Probably a lot, but I chose two aspects that I wish to look at with fresh eyes. Neither of these two aspects is new, but I try to see a new facet in these:
Firstly, he speaks about the power of the parts for the success of the whole.
From his video we learned that not only knowledge workers in the technology industry but also the different kinds of designers are working in the silos. And hindering the best results to come out.
Michael Wolff uses a meal as a simple metaphor. He says "it's only through the parts that the dinner gets delivered", and "you never cook the same meal twice". I think in my industry – software & service business – we do this often, time and time again, totally unnecessary. Is it out of laziness or due to a lack of perception? I don't know. But I do agree with Michael that the role of the details is important, of a single tiny part of the equation has to be seen. And for that we need to develop our 'seeing' muscles and attitudes.
I've earlier written about the on-going change and the silos in the work places, silos that lead to idea poverty and ineffectiveness. As a remedy for this our existing organizational structures needs a refresh, and we knowledge workers, should become more passionate about helping our organizations to be open, learning organizations. Mr. Wolff's thinking helps us in this as both the acknowledgment and appreciation are the key ingredients in this.
Secondly, Michael Wolff states the kind of obvious but easily ignored idea: Emotion is most important component in graphics design.
In line with Michael I do believe that active observations combined with having our emotions 'open', is an essential fuel for our creativity, for better thinking and for the innovation.
I find here a clear connection to Esa Saarinen's theory of Systems Intelligence about which I've blogged earlier:
We all have two different thinking systems, so-called System 1 and 2: System 1 thinking as automatic, associative, and intuitive. System 2 thinking is dominating in the work places: you better be strictly rational. In every day work situations the System 2 thinking is active and often unintentionally blocking System 1 thinking – and therefore narrowing the possibilities at hands. When both systems are active, there's a room for intuition, interaction and emotions.
An interesting connection between the System 1 thinking and the Muscles of Curiosity and Appreciation. Genuine two-way engagement with other people enables us to better co-create and develop ideas.
Systems Intelligence & the Three Muscles Combined
The unpredictable, more global, mobile and social business environment brings tough challenges for the areas of communication, coordination, learning, and leadership.
I believe that acknowledging the role of Esa Saarinen's Systems Intelligence theory in the knowledge work and combining it with Michael Wolff's idea of exercising these three muscles – Curiosity, Appreciation, Imagination – takes us a step closer to a more creative, productive and human working environment.
Do you think there is a need for a mental bodybuilding for us knowledge workers?
Related reading:
- Another interesting video by Michael Wolff on the same topic can be found here.
- Are All Employees Knowledge Workers? by John Hagel & John Seely Brown
PS. My long-time motto is "Always in Beta. And passionately so". I think I'll modify it with Michael's wonderful motto, which is: Obsessively Interested in Everything.


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YouthConnekt scoops UNDP innovation awardDec 12, 2013
UNDP Rwanda's YouthConnekt video won the first prize at the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa's innovation fair on 1 December in Johannesburg, South Africa. The award includes a US$ 75,000 contribution towards the implementation of the YouthConnekt project.
YouthConnekt has been initiated by the Ministry of Youth and ICT (MYICT) in partnership with UNDP, ADMA, Tigo, and HeHe as a platform to connect innovative young Rwandans to help with the country's inclusive economic transformation. This platform serves as a channel for youth, private sector, and government to address the challenges youth are facing in terms of employment and entrepreneurship.
The platform has a practical, results-oriented format, including interactive, multi-stakeholder panel discussions, partnership announcements, as well as opportunities for participants to showcase their innovative ideas and projects to potential partners.
The YouthConnekt hangouts provide a networking platform for leaders from the public, private and financial sectors to meet and forge new partnerships for the future.
The hangouts focus on different themes such as Youth Employment, Entrepreneurship, Youth Access to Finance; Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), Investment Promotion, and are supported by an active website and social media.
As such, YouthConnekt connects youth to opportunities such as skills development, jobs, access to finance, business incubators, mentorships, and internships.
In a reaction, the Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana congratulated UNDP Rwanda with the award and urged youth to explore new and seize the available opportunities. "We want to build an active and innovative community that is confident in its ability to solve its own challenges by making a smart use of the abundant opportunities around us" he said. He emphasized that ideas exchange would boost the youth's critical thinking and innovation capabilities. "We are focusing on developing the youth because they are the future and are more innovative while taking on community challenges and turning them into opportunities".
The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Lamin M. Manneh, said "Building the skills of young people, harnessing their energy, and realizing their aspirations will help Rwanda improving its living standards and igniting inclusive economic growth. Empowering them with opportunities to reach and applying their full potential are both our most important challenges and our most vital opportunities".
Both the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2) of the Government of Rwanda and the UN roadmap for the new development agenda after the MDGs expire in 2015 identify Youth employment and Inclusive Growth as one of the major shifts that need to happen to end extreme poverty and improve livelihoods. They stress the importance of diversified economies, with equal opportunities for all, to drive social inclusion, especially for young people, by harnessing innovation, technology, and the potential of business.


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Given the choice between the classroom and field experience, Brian Wood of Sterling decided he could learn more in Ghana, West Africa, than a classroom at George Mason University. After spending three months in the West African country last spring, Wood returned home to Loudoun County determined to make a difference for the Ghanaian people and one girl in particular.
In Ghana, Wood worked at the Ayi-Owen International School in Techiman. It was there he met Angela Saab, a girl who earned perfect scores on the Ghanaian equivalent of a standardized test. She is also a girl who recently lost her father, a medical doctor, when he was hit and killed by a car. The accident tore apart her family and jeopardized her chances of continuing her education. Her perfect score was one in three million in Ghana. Wood says Angela is full of potential, adding "she is the future of Ghana." The staff of her school agrees.
"She is exceptional. We look for her to apply to the top schools in the country," Will Owen, Ayi-Owen International School director, said.
In Ghana, school is compulsory until ninth grade. Secondary school is not funded by the government and in a country where the average annual income is roughly the same as $2,500 in U.S. dollars, the tuition makes further education for many nearly impossible.
In 2002, Wood founded Reading Education and Advocacy Development (READ), a charitable organization. Since his return from Techiman, he has been working through READ to raise money for Angela, the Ayi-Owen school and to help people in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana learn more about the climate changes facing their country.
U.S. dollars go a long way in Ghana and Wood believes other countries are looking to America for direction.
"Americans can form partnerships to benefit and improve life for humankind," he said.
EXPERTS BELIEVE there is reason for hope in Ghana, which unlike other parts of Africa is not plagued by war, rebellion or infighting. John Agyekum Kufuor assumed the presidency of the country of 23 million in 2001 in "a relatively legitimate, straightforward election," Rudi Klauss, vice president for Africa Programs at the Global Education Center of the Academy for Educational Development in Washington, D.C., said.
Since the 1980s, Ghana has been instituting many educational reforms. The 1990s saw the emergence of colleges and universities.
"Education is valued in the society. People want their kids to go to school," Klauss said.
Many Ghanaian parents face a dilemma. "They want their kids to go to school, but canÕt afford it. As kids get older, thereÕs tension because families may need them to find work to meet basic human needs," Klauss said.
Secondary schools are often residential and for those living in rural areas or facing economic hardship, it makes further education even more elusive.
The Ghanaian primary schools are not without problems. The students may be in the classroom, but they are not necessarily learning and by the end of sixth grade, many are performing at substandard levels.
Teacher quality is another challenge.
"The new teachers have gone into the profession as an option of last resort," Klauss said.
As a result, the teacher turnover rate is high, especially in rural areas where it is not uncommon for teachers to miss days at a time while they moonlight at another job to make ends meet.
WHILE IN GHANA, Wood observed some of the trials schools face. Teachers in Ghana historically lecture, do not take questions from students and use punitive discipline. According to Wood, the lecture driven curriculum does not work.
"Research shows students retain 5 percent of the information given in a lecture. If students work in teams and practice by doing, the retention rate jumps to 75 percent."
At the Ayi-Owen School, Wood got students from behind their desks and put them in small groups, asking them to make presentations to other students. ItÕs something they have continued since he left and Owen said, had made a difference, especially since students are taking responsibility for their education.
"Students are doing dramas, acting out the independence movement in Ghana with posters, charts and diagrams," he said. Students are doing research. During a recent lesson on the Atlantic slave trade, many students read books on their own about Harriet Tubman. Only one in 20 teachers had read the same books.
"WeÕre seeing the students surpass the teachers," Owen said.
To continue the independent research students are doing, Wood is collecting books that through a partnership with Books for Africa will be sent to the Ayi-Owen School. He says they especially need reference material.
GHANA RANKS 136 out of 177 countries on the United NationsÕ Human Development Index, which measures life expectancy, literacy, education and standards of living. The U.S. ranks eighth. After noticing things in Techiman covered with sand and dust, Wood began to study climate change in the region. He believes the changes, especially desertification, are going to be a major threat to Ghana in coming years.
"More and more of the country is turning to dessert, which is a real problem since theirs is an agriculture-based economy. They are losing about 4 percent of their gross domestic product to climate change," he said.
Through READ, Wood hopes to educate Ghanaian people about climate change and what they can do. He is asking people in the U.S. to use paper that is at least 50 percent recycled.
"We as Americans are 400 times more responsible for climate change in Ghana than anything they are doing there," Wood said.
AS READ continues to grow, Wood hopes to build the scholarship fund and collect many books to add to the library at the Ayi-Owen School. He would someday like to link the school to the Internet, a plan he calls "complicated, but doable." He stays in touch with Angela who now leads a book club at the school. Wood will soon complete his own studies at George Mason University where he will earn a degree in community development.
Wood says heÕs doing what comes naturally.
"My family is in international development and aid and IÕve been around it all my life."
Wood believes he can make a difference and says "itÕs more important then ever that the U.S. be viewed as beneficial."


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There were lots and of losers during the state legislative session which ended last month. But there were a few winners, so let's take a look at them.
First up, Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Rauner.
Never before has a political party nominated a gubernatorial candidate who's had more impact on a legislative session than Rauner did this year. The gazillionaire's unlimited supply of money and his constant threats to "Shake up Springfield" clearly put legislators of both parties on edge all spring – going back to even before he won the primary.
The Democrats surely know in their guts that much of what Rauner says about Springfield ain't false. The long-entrenched powers that be stifle innovation and prevent actual compromise. Why wasn't a scaled back income tax hike ever once debated? Because the top dogs didn't want to talk about it. End of story.
House Speaker Michael Madigan introduced numerous pieces of legislation designed with Rauner in mind, including a tax surcharge on millionaires, which ended up as a non-binding question on the November ballot.
Rauner railed repeatedly against extending the income tax hike, and Democrats had to back off. Instead, they opted to punt the ball until after the election. If Rauner had lost the primary to a weaker Republican, odds are that the tax hike extension would've had a better chance of passage. Of course, if Rauner goes on to defeat Gov. Pat Quinn, the massive fiscal hole the General Assembly has created will be his problem – which ultimately makes him a loser as well.
Rauner became almost a shadow governor this spring. His hand was seen everywhere. Cook County pension reform failed, many say, because Rauner pushed against it. The $1.1 billion end of session road construction/repair bill was reportedly only agreed to by Republicans after Rauner OK'd it, hoping to please the GOP-leaning road builders.
Senate President John Cullerton was another winner.
The Senate President's electoral prowess meant once again that he could do pretty much anything he wanted. His 40 democratic votes out of 59-total Senate seats gave him enough cushion to sit back and watch while Speaker Madigan struggled all year to deal with his own, smaller super-majority.
Cullerton stood his ground on the budget when the income tax hike extension fell apart and made sure his members' top interests were taken care of, particularly with a small Medicaid expansion. He pushed back when Madigan tried to muscle through a major change in the way the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum was administrated. He stood firm when pushed by Madigan to insert a requirement into the reauthorization of the court-stricken state eavesdropping law to require police to wear body cameras. He muscled through an innovative bill with his former chief of staff Sen. Andy Manar to fundamentally alter the way education is funded in Illinois.
And out of all the Democrats under the dome, he appeared to be the least rattled by Rauner's primary win. Cullerton may not have always made the best decisions (particularly when it came to ultimately killing the eavesdropping bill), but he appears to be coming into his own as a far more confident leader.
Legislative Republicans did pretty well, too.
The weekend after the session ended, Kendall County Young Republican Chairman Brian Russell was busily scurrying to get himself onto the November ballot. He needed to collect 1,000 valid petition signatures in just three days to be appointed as the challenger to Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora. Russell said he hadn't heard it, but word was that Team Rauner had pledged six figures to back Russell's candidacy.
Holmes' district is pretty solidly Democratic, but this does show you why legislative Republicans have strutted around with renewed confidence since the March primary. They finally have a candidate at the top of the ticket who will not only give the Democrats a run for their money, but who will ensure that their own candidates have enough cash to compete. Holmes wasn't even on the Republicans' radar. They simply didn't have the resources to challenge her.
But if Rauner wins this November, Republican legislators will have to do something completely different – vote for some pretty distasteful things to support their GOP governor or risk his considerable ire. For over a decade, the Republicans often sat back and hit their red buttons when it came time to pass important bills. But they'll finally have to help govern if Rauner is in the mansion. That spectacle right there would almost be worth seeing Rauner win.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.


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Benton County Comprehensive Plan
Rather than centralize planning and decision-making at the state level, the GMA built on Washington's strong traditions of local government control and regional diversity. The GMA established state goals, set deadlines for compliance, offers direction on how to prepare local comprehensive plans and regulations and set forth requirements for early and continuous public participation. Within the framework provided by the mandates of the Act, local governments have many choices regarding the specific content of comprehensive plans and implementing development regulations.
The Growth Management Hearings Board hears and determines allegations that a government agency has not complied with the GMA or the related Shoreline Management Act (SMA, Chapter 90.58 RCW). A 1991 law amended the GMA to create three regional boards, but a 2010 law consolidated them into one. SMA jurisdiction was added in 1996. The board's administrative rules of practice and procedure are found in the Washington Administrative Code (Title 242-02 WAC). For more information visit the GMA info-page.


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Artie Davis has done the impossible: he has made me not only want to read a devotional book, but he's written a devotional book I actually...enjoy.
Far too often, Christian authors will write a devotional book that falls into one of two camps: the dry, theologically heavy-handed "just pray this and everything will be okay" daily kind, or the pithy, thematic, surface-level theology, feel-good kind. The former makes for what many people perceive our faith to look and act like while the latter is what sells at kiosks in airports or endcaps in bookstores and makes for the "perfect" Mothers Day gift. To find a devotional book that balances being bold without being judgmental, that speaks the truth in love, that engages the reader and challenges them beyond a brief "takeaway" for the day, and that reads more like a conversation with the author than a seminar given by a marketer is nearly impossible.
Until now.
Craveable reads more like a love letter from someone who wants to help fellow believers grow and be challenged in their faith than anything else. I've had the pleasure of hearing Artie speak before, and I can hear the genuine passion he brings to the stage in the words printed in this book. This is a man - a pastor, a husband, a father - who is drawing from his years of experiences, both good and bad, in order to guide others into a deeper love and passion with their God. And "guide" is the keep phrase here: rather than telling the reader what to do, Artie invites the reader into the journey. There is no "for Problem X try Solution Y" formula present in the book. The author understands that true spiritual growth comes through personal experience, not mimicry.
The only aspect of the book that I didn't like was when Artie suggested the reader stop and take the book as a 40 day journey, reading a chapter a day, which annoyed me because I wanted to just keep reading it. I understand now that had I just plowed through it, as was my natural inclination, I would have missed out on so much of both what he was saying and what I was to gain from the book.
Because the book is so honest and truthful, in both requiring self-reflection and in the stories Artie shares, it's the type of Christian devotional book which might scare many readers. ...which is a shame, because this is the exact type of book so many believers need to read. Neither the book nor the author come across as preachy or self-important. The tone of the book is personal, and isn't "catchy" or doomed to be outdated by the time you finish reading this review.
It's a style of book that many of us have been hungry for. So, you know, the title just makes it that much more witty.
These principles and more can be found in Artie's new book called Craveable: The Irresistible Jesus in Me, releasing February 5, 2013. Find out more at Craveable.com and on twitter @CraveableChurch
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advance copy of this book free from the author and/or publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR,Parti 255.


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Withdrawing Students
Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to the policies, deadlines, and procedures contained in the catalog and current policies and registration information booklet. If you are considering a departure from UIS please note the following:
- Contact the Office of Financial Assistance: Students receiving financial assistance must contact the Office of Financial Assistance PRIOR to dropping a course or withdrawing from the University to determine the effect on the student's financial aid award for the semester. If you have financial assistance, you may be required to repay all or part of your financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. After your withdrawal has been processed, review your account to view your balance.
- Drop your class(es): If you are leaving the University for any reason, you must withdraw from your classes to avoid receiving failing grades. Non-attendance or non-payment does not constitute an official withdrawal. You may be responsible for all or part of the tuition and fees if you have withdrawn after the first day of instruction. Check the Drop/Withdrawal Policy for a full refund schedule.
- You can drop all but your last class online, but must select the "Cancel Registration/Withdraw from Term" link in Student Self-Service to completely withdraw.
- If you have a hold that prevents registration activity, you may still be able to withdraw. Please contact the Office of Records and Registration for consultation.
- Pay any remaining tuition, fees, and other charges on your student account:
You will not be able to re-register at the University or request an official transcript if any unpaid past due charges remain on your account. Past due accounts may be referred to a collection agency and/or result in legal action. To find out more about payments and billing please visit the University Student Financial Services & Cashier Operations website.
- Contact the Office of Records and Registration:
If you are leaving the University due to medical reasons or extenuating circumstances, you may wish to contact the Office of Records and Registration (217/206-6174 or email@example.com). If you are leaving for military or volunteer emergency reasons, please refer to the Leave Policies website.
- Contact the Department of Residence Life:
If you live in on-campus housing, contact the Department of Residence Life (217/206-6190 or email@example.com) to discuss procedures associated with moving out, as well as cancellation of your housing contract.
- Return your laptop, books, equipment, keys, or materials on loan from the University:
Library books, lab equipment, keys, and any other University materials must be returned promptly to avoid late fees and/or replacement costs. Capital Scholars Honors Program students must arrange the timely return of their laptop, power supply cord, and Ethernet cord to the Technology Support Center (HSB 110). There is a monthly $100 late return fee for failing to address this return.
- Update your address and phone number: We do not want to lose touch with you. Please update your address using Student Self-Service.
- Contact the Office of International Student Services (ISS): International students must contact ISS PRIOR to withdrawing from the University so that SEVIS records can be properly updated. Falling below full-time enrollment without prior authorization is a violation of F-1 status and is considered an unauthorized withdrawal, as opposed to an authorized withdrawal. An unauthorized withdrawal results in an immediate loss of status and requires an immediate departure from the United States. It may also negatively impact a student who wants to return at a later date. An authorized withdrawal allows a student a 15 day grace period within which to depart and has no negative implications for the future. Contact ISS (217/206-6678 or firstname.lastname@example.com). International students should not change their current mailing address to an address outside of the United States without first consulting ISS.
Students who change sections, add, and/or drop, will be charged full tuition and fees for every transaction according to the established deadlines. The date you officially drop/withdraw will impact the amount you owe and/or the amount to be refunded, as well as the grade on your transcript. A course officially dropped after the add/drop period will result in a grade of "W" on your transcript. A failing grade will be assigned and calculated in your grade point average for courses not dropped by the specified deadlines.
Please contact the Office of Records and Registration with any questions regarding withdrawing or coming back to UIS:
- Phone: (217) 206-6174
- E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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The Representative is a 'portrait' of a call centre worker that can be accessed by telephone.
Call centres are an increasingly ubiquitous and technocratic interface between large organisations and the public, and their spread has been described as endemic to a globalised world. With The Representative, visitors are invited to sit within an installation of domestic lounge-type furniture and use a single phone to connect direct to a call centre agent working at a remote location. The callers are offered the chance to 'get to know' the agent, and thus to experience a 'portrait' of the call centre agent accessible via a call centre interface. Young hired the agent and defined a 'vignette' of them by agreeing a generic script of topics for possible conversation to be offered to callers at the start of each call, based on interviews with the agent about their personal background and experiences of call centre work. Following these initial options, calls were unscripted and based on the conversational interests of the caller.
The Representative is a development of Nothing Ventured, an earlier work by Carey Young which was staged at fig-1, London in 2000, in which she hired a call centre to 'represent' her. The Representative, at its simplest level, offers a view of the life and experiences of a call centre operative whose individuality and identity would normally be denied to the caller. The calls would exist somewhere between a personal chat, an interview, the reality-TV style exposure of a 'civilian', a script, an exposé of working conditions, a piece of journalistic research, a portrait and a service, with the caller put in the position of researcher, audience, voyeur, client and potential friend.


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Today BMW announced the plans for their 2013 BMW M3 Coupe Frozen Limited Edition. It'll be offered in three frozen colors: Red, White and Blue—fitting for election season.
There were only be 150 examples, all starting at an MSRP of $76,395 (including destination and handling), and it comes loaded with factory options but you can still add a number of variations.
Standard features include Competition package, Matte Black 19" light alloy wheels, Electronic Damper Control, Lower Suspension (-10mm), sport mapping for EDC and DSC, Premium package and black extended Novillo leather with contrast stitching. The list goes on, but our favorite part is that the standard equipment is a nice 6-speed manual, though if you'd rather flap some paddles around, DCT is still an option.


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Gene Inspector 1.6
The Gene Inspector can perform many sophisticated sequence analyses, but this new software is much more than just another sequence-analysis product.
Imagine having the ability to define an entire suite of analyses to be performed each time you have a new sequence, and to design custom style sheets which specify exactly how your output will look for each analysis.
Because you can pre-define and store analysis parameters for any analysis to fit your needs, anyone in the lab will be able to obtain meaningful and consistent results, whether they are a novice just entering the lab, or an experienced researcher familiar with the analysis routines.
The combination of notebook with navigation and drawing tools and sophisticated analyses provides the ability to annotate experimental results and analyses in a single location, rather than keeping your sequence analyses separate.


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The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) commenced in 1988 with a vision to be THE premier Hispanic business organization for Hispanic business professionals. Dedicated to increasing the number of Hispanics graduating with MBA's, NSHMBA opens doors for Hispanic talent by sourcing leadership positions, securing job placement and enhancing professional development.
Though Hispanics with MBAs had been the sole focus, 2015 marks the year in which NSHMBA extends its reach beyond the MBA community to undergraduate and high school-level students. NSHMBA realizes by building Hispanic talent from the ground up, they are empowering Hispanic business professionals to achieve their full educational, economic and social potential.
Become a NSHMBA partner and discover the best Hispanic talent. Counting with over 25,000 members and 39 chapters, we offer programs and products throughout the year that allow you to tell your brand story to the niche audience of Hispanic business professionals.